Report: Angels Plan To Offer Mike Trout a “Lifetime Contract”

With all the hype surrounding the upcoming free agent bonanza that includes Manny Machacdo, Bryce Harper, and possibly Clayton Kershaw, many baseball fans seem to have forgotten that Mike Trout only has a single season left on his contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

The 27-year-old is easily the best all-around player in baseball, even if his team struggles to add the right pieces around Trout to make them competitive. In the meantime, he’s won the MVP award in 2014 and 2016, made seven All-Star teams, and was on pace to have a historically great season in 2018 before injuries forced him to miss a couple short stretches.

In an effort to keep their superstar center fielder, the Angels are going to try and offer him a “lifetime contract” according to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports. He already makes $33.25 million a year, the highest paid position player in all of baseball. However, financial terms of the deal might be discussed until the organization (and Trout’s agent) see what kind of contracts Harper and Machado get this winter, which will set the floor for Trout’s future deal.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported last week that the Angels were going to attempt to extend an eight-year, $320 million offer to Trout this winter, which would bump his annual salary up to $40 million. However, if they can’t put pen to paper with their once-in-a-lifetime player, the Angels could consider trading Trout before the 2019 season starts. They would certainly get a king’s ransom of prospects in return.

Trout is hitting .315/.464/.614 so far this season, with 33 home runs, 21 doubles, 68 RBI, and 23 stolen bases. All that despite missing 21 games with a wrist injury and personal issues.